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Smith’s Dock’s last ship was launched on October 15, 1986 and brought an end to almost 80 years at the South Bank yard. Shipyard workers and their families turned out in force to witness the event and cheers sounded as the 15,000 tonne North Islands slipped in to the Tees.

The four building berths at the yard stood empty within seconds as the vessel, which was built for Cuba, made its way out of Teesside.

Our pictures show an aerial view of how the yard used to look, you can see the North Islands ship on the slipway to the right of the image which was taken in September 1986.

We were also there to record the protests as plans were aired to close the yard down back in May 1986. Passionate as they were, they ultimately proved futile.

At that time, the firm had 42 apprentices. 33 of them were found places in local industry or with councils in the area. Our picture shows second year apprentices Michael Smith, 18 (far left) an apprentice electrician from Stockton, and Robert Atkin, 17, a plumber, from Nunthorpe, who continued their training in the repairs division of Middlesbrough Council’s building department.

Hopes did abound that a consortium might buy the shipyard but no official comment was made in the weeks that followed its February closure. A care and maintenance team of 30, including security workers, were initially kept on at the 79-year-old yard.